antivirus programs, omg!

[chaos master]

What are the best free antivirus and firewall programs? Is Bitdefender any good?

[DarthBrady]

Well, a great question you have asked here :)
But at times it can be difficult to give a simple answer for everyone, because of how fast technology moves today, todays best bet could be tommorrows worst.

I am actually in the middle of my yearly research on the question, reviewing/testing/researching the most common and popular versions right now.
So if you give me a little time, I can give you a better answer. (I am so swamped with work right now, OMG)

Until then, I will say this: Norton 2005 and 2006 are Horrible. THey are the worst security and antivirus programs I have ever used. Period. Not to mention all the software confilcts/crashes it causes with online oriented software, and if you play games online, it's gonna screw you big time, eventually (constant punkbuster, kaliera disconnects, ect.) So I do NOT recommend Norton at all. And I have used every version since 1997. Trusdt me.

As for the free ones, Until I can tell you something, you may want to try magazine reviews from publications Like PC Magazine or PC world, they have pretty good tips, usually. I susbscribe to them both.

[FERGUS_MANERGUS]

we have the the corperate version of norton and it sux ************************

[Iconoclast]

These are the top eight VirusScanners:

BitDefender (the best and second cheapest)
PC - Cillin
Panda Titanium
McAfee VirusScan
AVG Antivirus Pro
Norton Antivirus
F-Prot for Windows
Kaspersky Antivirus (the eighth best and second most expensive!)Information copied from http://antivirus-software.topchoicereviews.com/.

[chaos master]

Ya, I had Norton (it came with my computer) before, back when I used AOL, and it prevented AOL from working, so I switched to McAfee. McAfee is good once you set it up for the long haul, as updating and subscription renewing can be done all automatically, but it can be a bit confusing and time consuming to set up in the first place, not to mention it's pretty expensive (at least it seems to be).

[Iconoclast]

Norton is more expensive than McAfee. The most expensive on the list, in fact.

[chaos master]

Norton is more expensive than McAfee. The most expensive on the list, in fact.

Which is confusing if it's crap....:confused:

[romsRgood]

AVG is awesome. Even the free version is terrific. I have never had any virus problems and the ones that have tried to infect my computer were detected fast and eliminated.

[zolrak]

well.
I think bit defender is hands down the best antivirus solution right now.
is very stable, I mean doesnt slow your pc down, and is very good and wayyy better than mcaffee.
and its price is very nice.
I greatly recommend it.

I´ve tested a lot of antivirus and this baby is the best.
But I have to accept that I was doubtful about it because I´ve never heard about it before trying it

[zolrak]

AVG is awesome. Even the free version is terrific. I have never had any virus problems and the ones that have tried to infect my computer were detected fast and eliminated.
YEAH, RIGHT:devil:

[Panda]

YEAH, RIGHT:devil:

There right, AVG is really good, I use it and recommend it over the big names like Norton and Mcafee.

[zolrak]

There right, AVG is really good, I use it and recommend it over the big names like Norton and Mcafee.

yeah. good, but not the best.
and I cant tell you with the right that only a person that has tested so many antivirus, like myself has.

avg is god..but remebber hell is filled of god things..and avg is not exeption

[romsRgood]

avg is god..but remebber hell is filled of god things..and avg is not exeption

Ok that made no sense what so ever..

[DarthBrady]

AVG is awesome. Even the free version is terrific. I have never had any virus problems and the ones that have tried to infect my computer were detected fast and eliminated.

Yes, good choice. AVG is a very well maintained free antivirus software. I too recommend it.:)


Mcafee, On the other hand, I do NOT recommend to most people. It's not that great of an interface, its uses a lot of memory, and slows memory down, for many pefromance hungry games and applications. And its just not that impressive overall. I'm not about to lose any framerate speed to an antivirus program. Doint get me wrong, it's not bad software, but its not great software either. They send me Mcaffe Full version free every year and I always give it a try, and now there is a pile of Mcaffee anitvirus CD's that are pretty much coffee coasters (really I am using one right now LOL) and are good for nothing elese to me.

If you disagree, with me, thats fine, I respect that. But as a gamer and geek, Mcafee is not for me.

[BlueDragonMan]

yeah. good, but not the best.
and I cant tell you with the right that only a person that has tested so many antivirus, like myself has.

avg is god..but remebber hell is filled of god things..and avg is not exeption

Ok that made no sense what so ever..

What he means is that AVG is a good virus protection program, but it dosn't catch every virus. That is why you should in general have atleast two different virus protection programs. That way if one of them misses the virus the otherone might get it. Though even with two protection programs you still can get viruses. :( If only there was just one ultimate program that requires no other program. Oh well...........

[zolrak]

What he means is that AVG is a good virus protection program, but it dosn't catch every virus. That is why you should in general have atleast two different virus protection programs. That way if one of them misses the virus the otherone might get it. Though even with two protection programs you still can get viruses. :( If only there was just one ultimate program that requires no other program. Oh well...........


with no doubt you need bitdefender 9 internet security!

highly reccomended!


DEATH TO THE AVG GAY!!!

[Rivaan]

AVG is awesome. Even the free version is terrific. I have never had any virus problems and the ones that have tried to infect my computer were detected fast and eliminated.

That same thing has happened with me and Avast Antivirus. You know that MSN blocker thing? I downloaded it on purpose so I could find a way to remove it for my friends. But even though it was installed, I wasn't able to get the annoying messaages to come up in the convos. Avast had somehow disabled it from working and then alerted me of it's presence, asking me what to do (I set it to always ask).

I really recommend it. I showed it to my dad and now he uses that too. That mofo of a PC he has was viral to high Heaven. Now it's become a lot more stable. I don't recommend AVG.. so many people saying it is good. It probably is, but for ease of use, I chose Avast. I wasn't able to do much when I had AVG (albeit that was 5 years ago or so).

[zolrak]

I´ve used it before and is very stable.
but bitdefender has left me speechless. this antivirus is great so nice that my pc is not loaded with it, is still fast.

I´ve has even in my rom files virus and it has detected them and some cracks
too. now my machine is really protected.

[DarthBrady]

Sounds like everyone here seems to like the AVG ;)

Hmmm.... I'm gonna get my peeps to try it, see what's up. I want to, but dont have time right now.

[Fierce Deity]

Does anybody know of a good Anti-virus? My friend has a computer virus, and I was trying to get rid of it, I even tried using, Norton, which cost $60, Spy Sweeper, which cost $30.00, and Avast! and AVG, which were both free. It comes up and says that there aren't any viruses, but then the computer will say it wil shutdown in 60 seconds because of NT authority, and when it starts back up, the antivirus I have turned on will say that there are viruses. So, I delete those, and then later, the NT authority will come back, restart the computer, and I have viruses on it again. So, I am assuming there is a downloader on there somewhere. I am trying to avoid re-installing windows, and I feel bad, because I am the only computery kid my friend has, and I can't fix it, so I am turning to you guys. Any ideas, suggestions, or good anti-virus programs I could get, for free, if possible?

[noodles]

BitDefender is good. I'm not too sure if they still offer it for free, though.

[DarthBrady]

You should try the software made by PC Tools, inc.

-Spyware Doctor
-Registry Mechaninc
-PC Tools Antivirus

They have cleaned 12 so far that the others you mentioned did not find for me this year alone :)

[DarthBrady]

By the way, there is a thread with the same topic in PC Support Forums.

You should move this there ;)

[Fierce Deity]

Okay, I'll move this there. Meanwhile, which of the PC Tools is the best, or are they for different things? Where would their site be? Or do I have to google it?

*MOVED*

[Fierce Deity]

After installing one of the PC Tools antivirus dealies, should I unistall the other virus scanners, or just leave them installed, but off?

[noodles]

I don't see what it would hurt to leave the other virus scanners around.

[Fierce Deity]

I don't see what it would hurt to leave the other virus scanners around.

Well, a lot of times, virus scanners can fight each other for power, and end up compromising both systems. I was thinking it might be smarter to have as few antiviruses as possible. I just want to know if there are any that might be better than Spyware Doctor or BitDefender. Also, which of the two should I get? I can honestly say, out of teh 4 I have on there, Norton is the crappiest, despite it being the most expensive.

[BlueDragonMan]

Well, a lot of times, virus scanners can fight each other for power, and end up compromising both systems. I was thinking it might be smarter to have as few antiviruses as possible. I just want to know if there are any that might be better than Spyware Doctor or BitDefender. Also, which of the two should I get? I can honestly say, out of teh 4 I have on there, Norton is the crappiest, despite it being the most expensive.

You tried unplugging the internet completely from the computer and doing removing the viruses while in safe mode right? Some viruses no matter how many times you delete them if your still on the internet or not in safe mode they will just reinstall themself.

[Fierce Deity]

You tried unplugging the internet completely from the computer and doing removing the viruses while in safe mode right? Some viruses no matter how many times you delete them if your still on the internet or not in safe mode they will just reinstall themself.

Yes, I always try that. It's just, as soon as I re-plug in back in to the internet, all the viruses come back, so there is one of those Trojan-downloader.zlob dealies somewhere, I just don't know where, and none of them are finding it.

Also, what is better? Spyware Doctor, and the other PC Tools, or BitDefender?

[BlueDragonMan]

Yes, I always try that. It's just, as soon as I re-plug in back in to the internet, all the viruses come back, so there is one of those Trojan-downloader.zlob dealies somewhere, I just don't know where, and none of them are finding it.

Also, what is better? Spyware Doctor, and the other PC Tools, or BitDefender?

I don't know about the spyware doctor or the bitdefener. I only use AVG.
I would just try them both and see which one works better for you.

He dosn't happen to DL porn or anything like that onto his computer does he? My guess would be that its probably attached to a more recently downloaded file. You could always try to look up all the trojan viruses and look for them on the computer manually. Either that or maybe he has a registry file that has the virus in it? Do you do a complete system scan or just certain places? I'm guessing you do the complete system scan. In that case I'm out of ideas.

[Fierce Deity]

I'm assuming the virus is in the registry, but have you ever looked in there? There are so many places. I used Norton Antivirus 2006, AVG, Avast!, and Spy Sweeper, all up to date at the time, all full system scanned, and then I even tried Avast!'s on boot scanner, and it is still apparently there. I haven't tried BitDefender or System Doctor though, so next time I'm at his house I will try to obtain them. The thing about antiviruses is, you can't steal them, and even if you do, you can't update them, as you won't have a subscription. So, I have to find a good one that is free.

[Kurt]

I'm assuming the virus is in the registry, but have you ever looked in there? There are so many places. I used Norton Antivirus 2006, AVG, Avast!, and Spy Sweeper, all up to date at the time, all full system scanned, and then I even tried Avast!'s on boot scanner, and it is still apparently there. I haven't tried BitDefender or System Doctor though, so next time I'm at his house I will try to obtain them. The thing about antiviruses is, you can't steal them, and even if you do, you can't update them, as you won't have a subscription. So, I have to find a good one that is free.Do you know how to use Hijack This and RegEdit? Do you know the name of the virus in question? I know how to get rid of quite a few using the Hijack-This/Safe Mode/Regedit combo, but I'd have to know the virus and what it does.

Also, you might want to try http://forums.spywareinfo.com/... they have a lot of good advice on how to remove malware.

[Iconoclast]

You guys really **** me off, sometimes.

chaos master already started a thread on this, and I already told you, as judged by a software research website that professionalizes with viruses, that BitDefender has the number one anti-virus rating. Zolrak even agreed with me. And now, in this thread, this user suggests BitDefender. So that's three votes. Of course, even so, DarthBrady says, "Well, it sounds like a lot of people are using AVG AntiVirus; I think I'll use that." Jesus Christ, people!

AVG AntiVirus is roughly better than Norton; BitDefender is the second cheapest and best. What is so hard about that to understand?

[DarthBrady]

You guys really **** me off, sometimes.

chaos master already started a thread on this, and I already told you, as judged by a software research website that professionalizes with viruses, that BitDefender has the number one anti-virus rating. Zolrak even agreed with me. And now, in this thread, this user suggests BitDefender. So that's three votes. Of course, even so, DarthBrady says, "Well, it sounds like a lot of people are using AVG AntiVirus; I think I'll use that." Jesus Christ, people!

AVG AntiVirus is roughly better than Norton; BitDefender is the second cheapest and best. What is so hard about that to understand?

I already told them there was another thread in my previous posts, but it doesnt matter now, because someone moved this to PC support so I am merging it with the original thread of the same subject that you spoke of.

Now, two things:

-I never said I am going to use AVG, trying it/checking it out, and using it are two different things. get your facts straight.

-There was no need to rant on and run your mouth like that. You have your opinions, just like everyone else. Thay all have the right to choose and recommend whatever software they like, and if they want to discuss it, tha's what the forums is for, so deal with it.

and just because some software is "rated" the higtest doesnt mean jack sh*t. Come on dude. really. Where do you think those so-called ratings come from? 9 out of 10 times, they come from moey, because money talks. Screw ratings, I want to see results. If you are looking for or comparing software, you should be looking for known issues/compliants/flaws, ect. Not which one is rated the highest. These ratings are usually bias, because they only exist to relate to whatever is most common, not what works for everybody.

[Iconoclast]

I already told them there was another thread in my previous posts, but it doesnt matter now, because someone moved this to PC support so I am merging it with the original thread of the same subject that you spoke of.

Now, two things:

-I never said I am going to use AVG, trying it/checking it out, and using it are two different things. get your facts straight.

-There was no need to rant on and run your mouth like that. You have your opinions, just like everyone else. Thay all have the right to choose and recommend whatever software they like, and if they want to discuss it, tha's what the forums is for, so deal with it.

and just because some software is "rated" the higtest doesnt mean jack sh*t. Come on dude. really. Where do you think those so-called ratings come from? 9 out of 10 times, they come from moey, because money talks. Screw ratings, I want to see results. If you are looking for or comparing software, you should be looking for known issues/compliants/flaws, ect. Not which one is rated the highest. These ratings are usually bias, because they only exist to relate to whatever is most common, not what works for everybody.I don't have time to get my facts straight, sometimes, so if I made a mistake in what I say, it is only human. We all make mistakes.

OK, how about this, then?

BitDefender's Review: http://antivirus-software.topchoicereviews.com/bitdefender-review.htm

AVG AntiVirus Pro Review: http://antivirus-software.topchoicereviews.com/avg-antivirus-pro-review.htm

Mean anything, yet?

Anyway, sorry I overreacted. I just get frustrated, sometimes.

We all have our own opinions, true; but I felt like everyone was ignoring my opinion, copied as the original option of a virus-scanning software reserach website. Everyone just seemed to skip my opinion, and when you say "Deal with it," that means nothing to me. I did not flame anybody's opinion; I was trying to repoint out the obvious, since it seemed even inobvious. I reexplained BitDefender out of anger, but I never flamed anybody, so no need to try such remarks on me. Like I said, sorry I overreacted. I calm down after exploding, and I realize my mistakes.

[Fierce Deity]

Well, I never saw this topic, and when DarthBrady told me it was here, I moved this version over to it, and he merged the two, so everything was fine. AVG might be well and good, but, I have tried it already and it has failed. Norton seems to be fine with keeping viruses out, but not getting rid of ones that are already there.

Kurt, as for Hijack This!, I have never used it, but I do know how to use regedit, I just don't know what I'm looking for, as none of the virus scanners come up with anything other than clean. So, I am just going to try out BitDefender and Spyware Doctor (and the other PC Tools, Inc dealies) and see what works best. To hell with Norton though.

[zolrak]

bitdefender in my case was the real solution to all my virus problems.
so fast and always updating.

bitdefender rocks!!!

[noodles]

My BitDefender 8 Standard has never once found updates.

[zolrak]

My BitDefender 8 Standard has never once found updates.


you have never updated your antivirus?! OH MY GOD!

to share a file with you is a risk!